Braiding machine



July 19,1927; l 1,636,659

A. C. HOPKINS v BRAIDING MACHINE Original Filed July 24. 1925 5Sheets-Sheet 1 A. C. HCF-KNHS BRAIDING MACHINE original Filed July 24.1925 5 Shees-Sheet 2 Z o 5 Mm w M w W la Ik l 1 l l MHVFHHENJ 5 2 7 fhIlffw :l w 7 Elmx A:

1 .f, July w 92K ma. Hamam@ y y BRAIDING MACHINE original Filed July244, 1925 5 sneetsmsneet 5 llIHI .Ll sumumnlmuum July 19 1927 A. c.HoPKxNs BRAIDING MACHINE original Filed July 24. 1925 5 sheets-sheet 4 l19 luy 19 ,2 7 -A.`c. HOPKINS BRAIDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-'Sheet `5Original Filed July 24. 1925 Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFMIIE..

,ARTHUR C. HOPKINS, F NILES, MICHIGAN, .AESIGNR TO NATIONAL STANDARDCOMPANY, 0I" MILES, MICHIGAN.

:BnAImne Application filed July 24, 1925, Serial This invention relatesto iniprovemcnts in braiding machines. y

The main objects ot this invention are: First, to provide an improvedbraiding machine which is well adapted for braiding Wire. Second9 toprovide an improved braiding machine which is adapted to form braidswhich are substantially non-stretchable longiiudinally and one in whichthe strands are under uniform stress.

Third, to provide an improved braiding machine which is Well adapted toform cable-like strands comprising a plurality of wires uniformlyinterloclted throughout the length of the strand.

Fourth, to provide an improved braiding machine which is adapted torforming braids or cables at high speed.

Objects pertaining` to details and economies oi construction andoperation of my invention will definitely appear 'from the detaileddescription to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification. The invention is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing `Forming a part `ot thisapplication, in which:

Fig. I is a fragmentary side elevation ott a braiding machine embodyingthe Jfeatures ot my invention.

Fig. II is a fragn'ientary elevation partially in vertical section.

Fig. III is a fragmentary view mainly in vertical section on a linecorresponding to line 3 3 ot Fig. I.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary elevation of the capstan or take-oli' of themachine.

Fig. V is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 5-5oit Figs. I and VI showingstructural details ot the brai der heads.

Fig.. VI is a 'fragmentary plan view showing- `further details oi' thebraiding heads.

Fig. VII is a fragmentary section on a line corresponding to line 7-7 ofFigs. I, III, VIII and IX showing details of the forming and killingrolls.

Fig. VIII is a detail view partially in section on a line 8 8 of Fig.VII showing further details of the forming and killing rolls.

Sie

scribed. These annular gears 8 are both in MACHINE.

No. 45,812. Renewed January 5, 1927.

F IX is a 'fragmentary :liront elevation of the 'forming rolls.

Fig. X is a fragmentary plan view ot a section ot the fabric, thestrands being shown in iinll black lines ttor convenience inillustration.

FigQXI a fragmentary section corresponding to that ot' Fig. VIII showinga modification in the 'forming and killing rolls.

XII is an enlarged detail section ot the forming roll ot themodification ot Fig. l XI.

Fig. `XIII is a plan view `oi a section of the product ot the machineequipped with the modified form of forming and killing rolls.

Fig. XIV is a conyentionalized illustration ot' the article shown inFig. XIII showingv the general spiral character ot the article.V e

In the drawing the sectional views are taken looking in the direction oithe little arrows at the ends of the section lines and similar numeralsot reference indicate similar parte throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, my improved braiding` machine comprises theuprights I on which are mounted the members and 3. Extending across theupper end oi the segmental iframe members 3 is a bar -lhaving formed anintegral part thereo t', preferably as a casting, a segmental hanger 5on which parts are mounted to be hereinafter described.

This segmental hanger is connected to the bar 4; by means oi' thetie-piece (i. The trarne members 2 and 3 are provided with groovedrollers 7 constituting supports for the annular gears 8 by means ofwhich the braider heads are driven, as will be hereinafter demesh with adriving gear 9 on the shaft 10 which is connected by the transmissionshaft ll and the beveled gearslQ and 13 to the sha'tt 10 and the drivingshaft 14, respectively. This shaft l-lhas a pulley 15 thereon by n'ieansolavhich the machine is connected to a suitable source of power.

The braider heads each comprise complementary segmental sections 16 and17 which are bolted upon the frame members 2 and 3 with their inneredges in spaced relation providing a` throat. 18 as shown in Figs. IV

and V.

lit

dle 27 for the bobbins-28;r

The frame members 2l and 3 are suitably spaced by the spacersl), see-Fig.-V, which i are extended to support the bearings for the groovedrollers 7. These spacers are reduced at 21 and the purpose of thisreducing will 'be pointedA out later.

The head members 1G and 17 are provided with segmental tracks or Waysconsistingof the inner' member 22 and the outer members 23 for thebobbin-earriers 24 there beinlra 7 tieni-disk which is engaged-by theshoe 31V carried by the brake lever 32 pivoted at 33 and Vsupportedunderspring tension .by theV spring see Fig. V

Stationary bobbinsare mounted on the hanger 5, see Fig. l.. Each ofthese bobbins is provided with a braking means designated generally bythe numerall fwhichfis a subw stantial duplicate of thebrakingmeans-defv scribed for the movable'bobbins.` v

Referring -tol Fig. II it will be noted that the strand designated bythe numeral 37 is led from the fixed bobbin over :the guide rollerlwvhich isin the vertical plane of the forn'iing roller 39.- Pairsvofretaining rollers 40 and 41 are far-ranged at the sidesof the guideroller 38,- see Figs. I, H and HI, these rollers 40,41 being groovedso'that the strands :annot slip olf the'gulde roller.

From the guide'roller 38 the lstrands pass to therollers 42 and thenceto the rollers 43, beth of which -are carried on the shifter-s 44. Theseshifters 44 are connected by the shifter bar 45 which iscommon to all ofthe Shifters, see Fig.\,7, and .also FigzyI Where parts are brokenvawayv to disclose the shifter bar.

Thegrollers :42 are carriedby arms 46 on the shiftersso that the rollers42 are supported at tl'iewontside of the braider heads wl'iilecftheArollers 43 deliver thestrands into the throats 18.;A From Athe braid'erthroats rthe strands 37 pass to the form roller 39' to which they areguided by the holding` rollers 47. The shif'ters`44 carry the strand 37from one braider .head to, .the adjacent braider head,4 thelmovcmentbcingftimedso that yon each rotation of` the ybol'ibiircarricrthexmovable :bobbin strands-.49 on the bobbins 28 are 'Yloopedaround.the strands37, see Fig. X

Wherethemovable bobbin strands are 'indicati il in full black lines. Theguide rollers 42 for lthe fixed .bobbin strands are `not mounted onShifters but are mounted on the outer frame member 3 as it Will beunder'- stood that the outer strands are not shifted but maintain aconstant relation to the outer braider heads.r To permit the strands 37approaehing close to the center of the braider heads the spacers 19 arereduced as shown at 21.

The braiding takes place adjacent the supporting and forming rollersft)and 47 as indicated in Fig. IX. Frointheroller 39 the braidedmaterialpasses tothe .killing rolls bt), 51 and 52,` the rollers 50 and51 beingad justably supported relative to each other and to the rolls 39 and 52whereby the` amount of stress desired is placed upon the-material,

this varying in accordance with the analysis ot the'i'naterial. thatis.` material high mear-- bon requires more killingnthan softer loWcarbon materials. rthis killing-,'-socalledg'is to take out the tendencyof the linishedproduct to twist or distort itself, 'owing to thestresses resulting from thetwisting and bending of the strands.` havingrl:)een` Wound on spools, drawn over rolls,l and as a yresult ot `thebending operation.`

y Freinv these killingrolls the materia-l is` passed to the take-offorcapstan roller 53.

enacting Withivhiich the vleadi'roller 54,

theniaterial being passed around the capstan and the lead roller 54,which has a plurality of grooves therein-,-depending upon the numberofleads requiredy'to provide the necessary dral't friction to draw thematerial through `the machine against theresista-nce ofthevariousrolleis andbrakesdescribed.

VThis capstan roller'or Wheel is carried by the shaft` 56 `providedvvith a gear-r 57 meshing with a pinion 58-on the :shaft 59 'providedwith a gear bf() meshing with a pinion 61 on. the driven shaft 10so-thatthe parts are driven in propersynchronism. -f

In the modification shown in F igs.;=XI and XII the forming roller 62,vis substituted for the form roller 39, the roller t2having a pe-LripheralA groove 63- therein adapted to receive the braided. material,at .the point of braiding and the groove G3 being narrower than thenf'idth ofthe material so that the groove 'foldsv the material uponitself longi-y tudinallyry The killing rollers 64, 65y andi 66correspond-ing to the rollers 52,61 and Y50' are also grooved.

the twisting tensions or stresses setup dur- The result of thisisthating the braiding` op'ei-i-itionfthatis the tvvisting` ot' thestrands'on: they rotatingbobbins,

causes the material to takea spiral Wind or twist as isindicated inFigs. XIII and XIV` producing a cable approaching circular. crosssection, and after passing throughthe killingrolrls this condition is-niaintained,.that

is, there is lno substantial tendency ,for the finished strand. tovfurther twistericoh The shifter bar d5 carryii'ig the sl'iiftcrs tl isdriven from a cam 67 on the shaft 'lll'. This cam has a camgroove @dtherein corafting;- with a pin (it) ou the slide [0 which is connectedby the linli 'il to the arm i2 ou the shifter bar 4th, see Fig. I.'lll'iis cam. (i7 ,is dcsigi'ied to actluate the shifters at the lesiredtime .in relation to the movement of the rotary bobbin carriers, thistaking place when the bobbin carriers are in the position shown in Figs.V and Vl, infirhich position the throats 18 are unobstructed. The partsare shown in .intermediate position in Fig.` VI.

The shifters Lll are supported in the ways 73 in the frame members E2and 3, the shifters having bearing members Tl; of hard liber or othersuitable material to reduce noise and provide. suitable frictionreducing members.

By arranging the guide roller 38 in substantially the plane of theforming roller 3S) the strands are under uniform tension and fed withoutthe necessity for tatie-ups. '.lhis great ly simplifies the structure,reducing moving parts and reinleriug high speed possible. Also1 theelimination of high speed ciprocating parts renders higl'i speedpossible ivi th a miniuium of strain and wear ou the ma chine.

I have used the term bobbins throughout the claims and specification asa matter ol" coiivenience in designating the straml carriers but it willbe understood that it is intended to embrace therein spindles or othersupports for skeins, hanlis and the like.

I have illustrated and described my improvements as especially designedby me for the forming of tire bead reinforcements. My improvements are,however, readily adapted for general use where it is desired to formbraids or fabric with uniform stresses upon the strands, or to arrangethe strands so that they uniformly sustain tensile strains. i

-Iaving thus described my invention what I claim as nenT and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a framecomprising a pair of segmental frame members having facing shifter Waystherein, spacers Afor said frame members extended to provide rollersupporting spindles, gear supporting rollers mounted on said spindles,annular bobbin carrier driving gears carried by said' rollers, means fordriving said gears in opposite directions, braider heads comprisingmembers mounted on said frame membersin opposed spaced relationproviding braider throats, said head members being provided withcomplementary bobbin carrier ways, bobbin lcarriers mounted in saidwaysand provided 'with segmental gears coacting with said annular gears,bobbins on said carriers, a forming roller .disposed centrally relativeto said braider heads, fixed bobbins disposed in an arc, a guide rollerdisposed centrally relative to said lixed bobbins and in the horizontalplane of .said itiorming roller Iand over which the stramls are led fromsaid tired bobbins, shifters slidably mounted in said shifter ways andprovided with pairs of guide pnl leys, the inner being disposed to guidethe lined bobbin .strands to said braider throats and the outer toreceive the strands from said guide roller, a shifter bar connectingsaid Shifters, timed means for actuating said shifter bar, a capstan,and killing rolls interposed between said capstan and forming roller.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a framecoinprising a pair of segmental frame members having facing shifter aystherein, spacers for said frame members extended to provide roller.supporting spindles, gear supporting rollers mounted on said spindles,annular bobbin carrier driving gears carried by said rollers, means fordriving said gears in opposite directions, liraider heads comprisingmembers mounted on said frame members in opposed spaced relationproviding braider throats, said head men'ibers being provided withcomplementary bobbin carrier Ways, bobbin carriers mounted in said Ways'and provided with segincntal gears coacting with said annular gears,bobbins on said carriers, a 'termina1 roller disposed centrally relativeto said braider heads, fixed bobbins disposed in an arc, a guide rollerdisposed centrally .relative to said fixed bobbins and in the horizontalplane of said forming roller and over which the strands are led fromsaid. fixed bobbins, Shifters slidably mounted Vin said shifter ways andprovided with pairs of guide pulleys, the inner being disposed to guidethe fixed bobbin .strands to said braider throats and `the outer toreceive the strands from said guide roller, a shifter bar connectingsaid Shifters, and timed means for actuating said shifter bar.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a framecomprising a. pair of segmental frame members having facing shifter Waystherein, spacers for said frame members extended to provide rollersupportting spindles, gear supporting rollers mounted on said spindles,means for driving said gears in opposite directions, braiderheadscomprising` members mounted on said frame members` in opposedspaced relation providing braider tlnoats, said head members beingprovided with complementary bobbin carrier ways, bobbin carriers mountedin said ways and provided with segmental gears coacting with saidannular gears, bobbins on said carriers, a forming roller disposed cent-ally relative to said braider heads, fixed bobbins, shiftersslidablymounted in said shifter Ways and provided with guide-pulleysdisposedtoguide the fiXedLbobbin strandstoy said braider throats, ashifter bar connecting said. Shifters, timed ,means foractuating saidshifter bar, capstan, and vkilling rolls inter- :posed between said.capstan and forming roller.y

4.111 a machine of .the class described, the combination of a framecomprising a pair of segmental frame members l.having facingshifterWays. ther-ein, spacers for saidframe v members extended to.provideroller supporting spindles, gear supporting rollers mountedonsaid vspindles,annular bobbin carrier. drivinggears carried by saidrollers, means for driving said gears in opposite directions,

braider heads, fixechbobbins, shifters slid! ably mounted in saidshifter ways and provided With guide pulleys disposed lto .guide the.fixed Vbobbin strands-arto; saidgbraider throats, a shifter barconnectingsaidY shifters, andl timed nneans for-actuating `said shifterbar. y y

5. In a machine of theclass described, the

combination 4of y'oppositely driven-annular bobbin carrierdriving,Gearsdisposed in opposed relation, braider ieads=disposed in anarc and `comprising members mounted in opposed spaced relationprovidingbraider throats, saidl head members beingprovided Vwith complementarybobbin carrier Ways,

`.'bobbin carriers mounted in said Ways and rprovided withsegmentallgears coacting with said annular gears, bobbins on saidcarriers,

a formingroller disposed centrally relative to -said braider heads,fix-'ed bobbins, a guide roller disposedv in the horizontal plane ofsaid forming 'roller and over Which the strands are led from saidfixedbobbing cuil Shifters slidably mounted in said shifter Ways andprovidedivith pairs of guide pul-` leys, the inner being ydisposed toguide the fixed bobbin 'strands to said braider throats said guideroller, a shifter bar connecting said. Shifters, timed meansfor'aetuating said shifter bar, a eapstan, and killing rolls interposedbetween' said Scapstan and forming roller. l

6. In a machine of the classdescrbed, the

combination of oppositelyiI driven annular bobbin :carrier driving gearsdisposed in opposed re1at1on,"bra1der heads disposedin an are andcomprising members mounted in opposedurspaced relation providingbraiderthroats, said headmembers being provided "with complementary:bobbin carrier Ways,

bobbin carriers mounted in said ways and provided with segmental. .gears`coating .With said annular gears, bobbins on saidcarriers, a formingroller disposed centrally `relative to said braider heads, fixed.bobbins, a guide rollery disposed` in the horizontal plane of saidforming roller and over .which the strands are led .from said fixedbobbins, Shifters .slidably i mounted 'in said shifter waysand providedwith pairs of guide pul-` leys, the inner being` .disposed to guide thef Y throats, said head members being provided with complementa-ry bobbincarrier Ways,V

bobbin carriers mounted in said Ways and provided Withsegmentalgearscoacting Withv said annular gears, bobbins on` saidcarriers,

a yforming roller.disposedcentra-lly relative to said braider heads,fixed bobbins, Shifters slidably mounted. in said shifter Waysandprovided with guide pulleys disposed to guide thefixed bobbinv strandsto said braider throats, a shi-fterbar connecting :said shift-g ers,timed means for actuatingsaid shifter bar, a capstan, and killingrollsinterposed between.v said .capstan `and forming roller.

8. `In a structure ofthel class described, thecombination of oppositelydriven auf, nular bobbin' carrier driving gea-rsdisposed in opposedrelation, braider heads disposed in an arc and comprising membersmounted in .opposed spaced relation providing braid'- er throats, saidhead members'being provided with complementary bobbin carrier Ways,bobbin carriers mounted'in `said Ways and provided with segmentalgearscoacting with said annular. gears, bobbins A('nnsaid carriers, a formingroller disposed centrally relative to said braider heads, fixed:bobbins,

Shifters slidably mountedy in.'` said shifter Ways and provided withvguide' pulleysdisand the outer to receive the stra-nds fromA posed toguide the fixed bobbin strands to said braiderthroats, a shlfterbarconnect ing said Shifters, andtimed means for. ae-f' tuating saidshifter bar.

9. Ina structure `of the class described the combination with take-offlmeansl includ# ing a forming roller, of braider units com-` prisingbraider members disposed in spaced relation providing braiderthroats andhav` ing complementary bobbin Vcarrier ways, opposed oppositely drivenbobbiny carrier driv? ing gears, bobbin carriers mounted in said 'Waysand provided withlb'obbins, said carriers having segmental gearscoacting with lli said driving gears and adapted to engage one of saiddriving gears prior to disengagement with the other, iixed bobbins,shitters having guide pulleys thereon for guiding the lixed bobbinstrands to said throats, operating connections` itor said bobbinshifter-s, and a guide pulley over which the strands are passed from thelined bobbins to said shifter-s, said guide pulley being arranged in theplane or the forming roller whereby substantially uniform tension ismaintained on the strands 'without the aid oit taire-up means.

l0. ln a structure olf the class described, the combination with tale-oil means including a forming roller, olf braider Aunits coinprisingbraider members disposed in spaced relation providing braider throatsand having complementary bobbin carrier ways, opposed oppositely drivenbobbin carrier driving gears, bobbin carriers mounted in said ways andprovided with bobbins, said carriers having segmental gears coactingwith said driving gears and adapted to engage one ot' said driving gearsprior to disengagement with the other, iXed bobbins, shitters havingguide` pulleys thereon tor guiding the lined bobbin strands to saidthroats, and operating connections :tor `said bobbin shitters.

ll. ln a structure oit the class described, the combination of a formingmeans, braider units arranged in an arcuate relation to said tormingmeans and comprising head members disposed in opposed spaced relationproviding braider throats, said head members being provided withcomplementary bobbin carrier ways, oppositely driven bobbin carrierdriving gears, bobbin carriers disposed in said Ways and provided 'Wit-hbobbins and with segmental gears coacting with said driving gears,reciprocating shitters adapted to shift the strands trom one unit to anadjacent unit, timed driving means tor said shiliters, lixed bobbins,and a iixed bobbin strand guiding pulley interposed between the shittersand the fixed bobbins over which the strands are passed .trom thebobbins to the shifter-s, said guide pulley being disposed insubstantially the plane of said orming roller.

l2. In a structure ot the class described, the combination ot a formingmeans, braider units arranged in an arcuate relation to said iformingmeans and comprising head mem bers disposed in opposed spaced relationproviding braider throats, said head members being provided withcomplementary bobbin carrier Ways, oppositely driven bobbin carrierdriving gears, bobbin carriers disposed in said ways and provided withbobbins and with segmental gears coacting with said driving gears,reciprocating shift ers adapted to shi-lit the strands from one unit toan adjacent unit, timed driving means for said Shifters, and linedbobbins.

13. In a structure of the class described, the combination With take-olimeans, ot' braider units comprising braider members disposed in spacedrelation providing braider throats and having complementary bob- `bincarrier ways, bobbin carriers mounted in said ways and provided withbobbins, driving means for said bobbins, strand Shifters adapted toshift the lixed strands trom the throat ol one unit to that et anadjacent unit, and timed actuating means tor said shilters.

let, .ln a structure ol the class described, the combination willi aform roller, ol braider units comprisiiig braider head members havingalined slot-like throats, bobbin carriers rotatably mounted on said headmembers and provided with bobbins, driving meansflior said bobbincarriers whereby the)7 are continuously driven in one direction, strandshitters operatively associated with said l'iraider members for shiftingthe rela tively fixed strands from the throat ot one braider unit to`that olf an adjacent unit, timed actuating means lor said shiiliters, atake-oill capstan, and grooved killing rolls interposed between saidcapstan and forming roll, all coacting l'or the purpose speen tied. y

l5. ln a structure ol the class described, the combination with a formroller, ot braider units comprising 'bi-aider head members having alinedslot-like throats, bobbin carriers rotatably mounted on said headmembers and provided with bobbins, driving means tor said bobbincarriers whereby they continuously driven in one direction, strandshifter-s operatively associated with said braider members 'for shittingthe relatively lixed strands from the throat of one braider unit to thatof an adjacent unit, timed actuating means for saidshiiters, a take-offcapstan, and killing rolls interposed between said capstan and formingroll, all enacting for the purpose specified.

i6. AA structure et the class described, olA braidcr units comprisingbraider members disposed in spaced relation providing braider throatsand having complementary bobbin carrier ways, bobbin carriers mounted insaid ways and provided with bobbins. driving means :tor said bobbins,strand shiliters adapted to shift the lined strands from the throat etone unit to that ot the adjacent unit, and timed actuating means torsaid shitters.

17. A structure ot the class described, ot braider units comprising headbraider niembers having alined slot-like throats, bobbin carriersrotatably mounted on said head members and provided with bobbins,driving means tor said bobbin carriers whereby lill) 18. in a structureof the class described, j

the combination with a talce-oif means, of

, in braider unitseomprising head members having aligned slotdilrethroats, bobbin carriers bly mounted on said head members and pi idedwith bobbins, means for driving` :said bobbins continuously in onedirection, and a strand shifter adapted to shift a and from the throatof one head member 1o that ot an jacent head member actuated insynehronisni with the. rotation of said bobbin carriers,

19.111 a structure of the class described, Athe combination of braiderunits comprising l ad members with aligned throats, bobbin carriersrotatably mounted on said head members and provided With bobbins, meansfor driving said bobbin carriers continuously in one direction, andstrand shifting means forshifting a strand from the throat of one headmember to that of an a jacent vn :en'iber synchronized with the rotationof said bobbin carriers. .p l

' 20. A structure of the class described com* prisinp; braider head inemVers having` alined slot-'lilie throats, bobbin carriers rotatably Y,

mounted on said braider head members and provided ivithbobbins, drivinglmeans for saidbobbin carriers ivhereby they are continuously driven inone direction7 a strand shifter, operatively associated With saidbraider head members for shifting a strand 40 from the throat of'onebraider head member to that of an adjacent braider head member, andineajns for actuating said shifter in synchronism with 'said bobbincarriers.

f 2l. A structure of the class described com?v prising braider head`members havingl alined throats, bobbin Vcarriers rotatably mounted onsaid braider head members and provided with bobbins, means for drivingsaid bobbin u carriers continuously in one direction, a

50 ,strand shifter adapted to shift a strand from fthe throat Vof onebraider head member' to that of an adjacent braider head member,

andineans for,actuating` said shifter in syn# chronism with the rotationof said bobbin carrier' driving gears carried by said rollers,`

braider head members mounted on said j `frame members and having opposedslotlike throats, said braiderhe'ad members being pi i'ided withcomplementary bobbin carrier s,bobbin carriers mounted in saidways 'i lvi bobbins and Withseg- 'with i annular is, a iorming roll d :posed,cen-

e to said t d bobbins and head ands are led yed bobbins, shiftersmounted on me members, said shifters being prov d n ith guide pulleysfor guiding the shifting strands from said gf-ithering roll te saidthroats, andmeaus `for.actuating said shifters in synchronism With saidbobbin carv in.,

i etinn' Vwith sa j Way, said Shifters being prf/vir i roller forguiding the strands to said throats, and means for actuating' said,A i

i ii't synchronized 7with the bobbin carrier hivin, means. Y

2a. structure of' the class described comprisin bobbins traveling,l incircuitous paths,

means for driving,` said bobbins continuously in one direction in saidcireuitous paths, a @rand shifter operatively associated ivith idbobbins for shiftinp;v a st and alter initely intothe circuitous pathsof said bobblns, Vand means for actuating` said shifter in synehronismwith said bobbins.

tinuously 'in one direct-ion in their said'cir-r 0cintons paths, andv aplurality 'of strand Shifters adapted to alternately carry shiftingstrands into and out of the pat-hs of adja- "cent bobbins. v

Qfn a machine of the classl described, the combination With a 'strand`forming means,'of apiuralityof strand supply means arranged inf an arcsubstantiallycentered in said forming means andd'riven continn-4 ouslyin one'direetion in'circuitous paths, a plurality of strandshiftersmovablein arcuate paths centered substantially iir'saidfo'rinino,` means, the paths of'said strand Shifters intersecting,v thecircuitous pathsl of the said 'strand supply means Whe'reby'the shifterstrands are alternately brought into the paths of adjacent strandsupplymeans, and means for guiding strands to said stramjl shifters disposedcentrally relatively to the arcuate paths `of-*said ystrandshifters.

27. In a machine of the class described, the combination' with a vstrandforming means,` of a plurality of `strand supply means ijle i CTIarranged in an arc Substantially centered in said forming means anddriven continuously in one direction in circuitous paths, and aplurality of strand shifters movable in arcuate paths centeredsubst-antially in said forming means, the paths of said strand Shiftersintersecting' the circuitous paths of the said strand supply meanswhereby the shifter strands are alternately brought into the paths ofadjacent strand supply means.

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a formingmeans and a strand gathering means arranged approximately in alignment,a plurality of strand supply means delivering strands to said formingmeans, each of said strand supply means traveling in an independentcircuitous path, means for imparting continuous circuitous movement tosaid strand supply means, and strand shifting and guiding means wherebyother strands are guided in a loop into cooperating relation with saidstrand supply means and strands succes'- sively brought into and out ofthe circuitons paths of said strand supply means.

29. In braiding mechanism, forming means, strand supply means deliveringstrands to said forming means, said strand supply means being movable inan independent closed circuit, means for imparting continuous movementto the strand supply means, strand guiding means delivering` strands tosaid forming means and movable in a circular arc centered substantiallyat the forming means, the paths of the strand guiding means intersectingthe circuitous paths of the strand supply means, and means for shiftingthe strand guiding means in succession into positions Within the pathsof the strand supply means intersected thereby.

30. In braiding mechanism, forming means, strand supply means deliveringstrands to said forming means, said strand supply means being movable inan independent closed circuit, means for imparting continuous movementto the .strand supply means, strand guiding means delivering strands tosaid forming means, said guiding means including means for forming aloop in the strand guided thereby, said loop being centiered on a linepassing through the forming means, and means for moving the strandguiding means in a circular arc centered substantially at the center ofsaid loop, the path of one side of said loop intersecting the circuitouspaths of adjacent strand supply means.

8l. In braiding mechanism, forming means, strand supply .meansdelivering strands to said forming means, such strand supply means beingmovable in substantially circular, noirintersecting paths, a strandguide member substantially aligned with the fornr ing means, means forguiding a strand fed over said strand member in a. loop before it passesto the forming means, and means for shifting the loop forming means toguide one side of the loop carried thereby to inten sect alternately thepaths of adjacent strand. supply means, said loop forming means be- `ingshifted on an arc centered substantially on the line connecting theforming means and the guide member.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR C. HOPKINS.

